Eurasian Eagle-Owl

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is a massive predator with a wingspan up to 188cm. This feather exhibits the classic 'eagle-owl' spotting—large white patches against a rufous-brown background. Known as the 'Le Grand-Duc' in France, the bird features prominent ear tufts and striking orange eyes

Base color is a warm tawny-buff to clay-brown, marked with distinct, irregular white 'blotches' or spots on the inner and outer vanes. Darker brown horizontal mottling is present toward the tip

Highly specialized; the proximal half is extremely plumulaceous (downy) for insulation, while the distal half is pennaceous but features a soft, velvety pile for silent flight

Extremely soft, silky, and matte. Lacks the oily gloss of waterfowl; the surface feels like velvet due to 'frizz' on the barbules that dampens sound

Large size (15cm for a body feather), velvety texture, and the specific pattern of bright white semi-rectangular spots on a buffy-brown background

Ecologically versatile but prefers rocky outcrops, cliffs, and old-growth forests offering plenty of prey and nesting ledges. Common in the crags of Bourgogne

Found across much of Europe and Asia. In France, they are resident year-round, particularly in regions with suitable cliff faces or sparse woodland

Apex predator. They regulate populations of medium-sized mammals and birds. Their presence indicates a healthy, complex ecosystem with sufficient prey biomass

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) feathers are stiffer and lack the velvety 'owl' texture; Tawny Owl feathers are much smaller; Great Horned Owl is North American only

It is one of the largest owl species in the world, capable of preying on animals as large as roe deer fawns or other raptors like Buzzards and Peregrine Falcons

Good condition. The plumulaceous base remains voluminous. Slight separation of barbs on the right specimen indicates natural wear or stress during molting

In Bourgogne 15cm long Not a common buzzard